Alex Fernandez

Her Hands

Today would be the day that this would happen. It wasn't like she hadn't tried this before. And usually, it led to the same results: come back next time. The lines had always been so long that by the time she got to the front, it was closed. Today was different; today she got in. The line to the Western Union wrapped around the corner, as it usually did. Mid-February, below-freezing temperatures at 11:30 am; what else would you expect from Chicago? Camila was prepared though. Doubled-up wool socks, two pairs of sweats, more sweaters than she could recall, topped off with an old coat, a beanie, and a pair of gloves. There was something different about today's attempt to get into Western Union and retrieve the money her sister had sent her. She had woken up 11:11 am, and as if Camila weren't superstitious enough, she rushed out of bed and got to the Western Union, thinking that unintentionally waking up at a time when some people make wishes would make her wish come true. "What's so special about 4 1's?" she thought to herself. But she didn't question it. If it could bring her luck, she'd believe in it.